Product review: ILEBYGO 14 LED Vanity Mirror Lights

This kit consists of 14 LED lights with light control.  The light control has a USB connector. These lights are designed to go around a mirror but their use is not limited to just the vanity mirror. I needed a bright light in a closet where I keep paperwork. Regular stick-on lights are not bright enough to let me read the small print on the paperwork, so I was looking for a set of bright light that can run from a power bank since I don't have a power outlet in the closet.  These lights are just perfect.  The lights are very bright on the bright setting.  This set of lights comes with double-sided sticky tape. It attaches well to the mirror and even a wood shelf that I have in my closet. The set includes 30 stickers for 14 bulbs, so it is possible to reposition them.  The sticker goo is removable with a Goo-be-gone product.

The lights are LED lights inside a round dome.  The domes are made out of milky white plastic.  Note that the domes are not removable. If the light burns out you cannot replace just the light.  However, I have been using LED lights for me years and have not had a LED light burn out on me, so it is not something I am worried about.

The lights come with a controller that can be turned on and off with just a push of a button, and two brightness controls to increase and decrease brightness.  I liked that I don't have to click many times to go from off to on.

The length of the cords:
- from clicker to the USB connector is 59 inches
- from clicker to the first light is 31 inches
- the cord between the lights is 10 inches

These lights have many uses  -  form vanity mirror to lightening closets or any dark corner that is not well lit.  Their brightness exceeded my expectations.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies Raspberry Chocolate / Amazon groceries / Home delivery of proceries during COVID-19

This is the first time I tried Milano cookies with raspberry chocolate flavor. I did not care for it, it tasted artificial to me. I am still a fan of the plain chocolate Milano cookies but will not be buying this version again.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Laptop Power Bank, RYOKO 27000mAh Portable Power Charger with AC 85W Output

Ryoko battery has a large capacity of 27000 mAh in a very compact form. Its size is Size 6.2" x 4.8" x 1.3" and weighs 26 oz.

The battery can be recharged either by AC power or by USB C power.  The AC input 26 Watts (13V x 2Am), the USB max capacity is higher at 45W, however it depends on whether you have an adapter capable of 45W  and I don't.  So for me, using AC is the fastest way to recharge this battery. Note that the AC adapter is included in the package.

The power pack has two USB outputs (I use it for my camera), one USB-C Output (I use it for my phone), and one AC output (I use it for my laptop).  The front of the battery has a button to switch from AC power to DC power (used by USB). Plugging in a device into USB port immediately turns on DC power. However, in order to activate the AC port, you need to press the AC button and hold it down for a few seconds. AC port is active when you see a green light next to the AC outlet.  You can see how this works in my video.

I try to never discharge the battery fully so preserve its longevity, yet I still I can recharge my laptop twice and my phone six times.

This is a good capacity external battery and it is very helpful when I lose power or travel.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: LIDAK Massager Gun, Rechargeable Electric Body Massager, Precussion Therapy

I injured my shoulder a few months back, and due to COVID-19 stopped going to physical therapy sessions.  I was able to continue to do the exercises on my own, but I was missing the massaging of the shoulder the therapist was doing.  I was looking for something that could help me massage my own shoulder and decided to try this massage gun.

The massage gun works by providing vibration therapy.  It changes how the muscles communicate with the brain and this provides short term pain relief, it creates a break in a pain cycle.

LIDAK massager looks like a drill with attachments, however, unlike the drills I own it is very quiet.  You can hear it working in my video.

LIDAK massage gun comes with six heads.  The documentation that comes with the product is super brief and not helpful.  It does not explain what each head is for. Fortunately, the Amazon description does include a once sentence for each head, and additional research about various massage guns brought further clarification.

The round ball head is for the large group muscles.
The bullet head is for deep tissue massage, this head gives the precision of application.
The dome head is for relaxation, can be used on any body part.  The dome head is not hard, its top is flexible.
The fork massage head is for massaging the spine, working your back requires help of another person.
The concave head is for soft tissue massage.
The flat head is for muscle plasticity, it can be used on any muscle group.

The package includes an AC adapter.  When the massage gun is charging the adapter plug has a red light. When it is fully charged the light changes to green.

In theory, the battery is in the massage gun is replaceable.  There is a lease button above the handle. Massage gun replacement batteries are not available on Amazon yet.  According to Google search, the battery should last 3-5 years.

Overall, I like how it works. Massage gun provided me similar relief to a massage therapist, the pain is gone briefly. It is convenient to use, I can use it while watching TV because its noise level is low.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: SZILBZ Hair Dryer Brush Hot Air Brush

SZILBZ Hair Dryer Brush comes in two pieces, the brush and the handle that generates hot air. This design allows me to use it both as a hairbrush and as a regular hairdryer with the brush removed. The hairbrush works well to straighten out my curls. The handle provides airflow, which feels to be similar to a hairdryer with a diffuser, especially on a low setting. This double usage was a surprise I did not expect.

The length of the brush is 6.3 inch with the diameter is 2.2 inches. The total length is 15 inches which including handle. Its weight is 14.20 oz.

To connect the brush and the handle, align notches on the top and bottom part and then twist to the lock position (marked with a pictogram of a closed lock).

Voltage: AC 110V, 50/60Hz.
Power: 1000W

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Cantu Sturdy Double Lift Pick for curly hair

Due to COVID-19 my normally wavy short hair cut grew into 3a-type curls. I decided to keep the hair longer with curls but noticed that I no longer can use a comb because it breaks-up the curls.  I decided to see if a pick would help me add a bit of volume when the hair gets matted down at night.  This Cantu pick does a nice job. I start at the root of the hair and do NOT extend it all the way to the roots to keep the curls. 

The size and the shape of the pick were not totally clear from the Amazon description, so here are the additional details:
The entire pick is 6.75" long, the teeth are 2.6". 
The double teeth form an elongated "O" shape, I have included a photo of the pick in profile. 
The pick is made out of heavy-duty plastic, the teeth of the pick are rounded and not sharp, no problems if they touch the scalp.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: OGX Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream

I was not able to cut my hair for three months and after a period of very unsightly hairdos one day, I looked in a mirror and realized that I no longer need a hair because my hair began curling, got shorter, and looked good.  According to the hair types charts, I have a 3a hair type (I included a graphic illustrating the hair type). 3a type hair forms loose curls from the root to the end of the hair (i.e. not waves, and not tight curls).

I bought OGX curling defining cream to enhance the appearance of the curls.  I never used a product like this before and was not quite sure what to expect.  It did not make a huge difference for me but I think there is a bit more clumping of curls.

After cream dried some hairs did cling together more but felt a little stiff.  If I combed my hair, I lost the curls and the hair looked messy and unmanaged.  I can get the curls back by wetting the hair. I get the best results if I apply the cream to wet hair (after I towel dry it), then let the hair try naturally, and then run my fingers through the hair to break up the stiff-looking curls.

Update: I found that if I use a drying cap my curls look more defined because the cap accordions the curls as they dry so they keep their shape.  In my video you can see results of both air drying without a cap and with a cap.  There is a visible difference.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆